I could not help answering a plain yes. Nothing in me was
changed; and come what might, that was true. No other answer
would have been true. And I could not blame him that he held
me fast and kissed me, almost as he had done that first time.
Almost; but the kisses were more grave and deliberate now;
every one seemed a seal and a taking possession. Indeed the
whole manner of Mr. Thorold had taken gravity and manliness
and purpose; he was changed, as it would have taken much
longer in other circumstances to change a man. I stood still
and trembled, I believe; but I could no more check him than I
could that first night.
Still holding me fast, he lifted my face a little and smiling
asked me, what Daisy had to say to him? The tone, tender and
happy, was as much as I could bear; more than I could answer.
He led me a little way, arranged a seat for me on a green
bank, and threw himself down by my side. But that was very
inconvenient, for he could look up right into my face.
"Business, Daisy?" he said gayly and tenderly at once. The
tone seemed to .touch the colour in my cheeks and the droop of
my eyes.
"Yes," I said. "It is business."
"Well, what, love?"
"Christian," said I, putting my hand in his, "you know papa
and mamma do not know of this."
"They shall know, as soon as I can write to them," he answered.
"I understand - you do not wish that, Daisy; but see - I
cannot leave it unsaid, as long as your thought would leave
it. Till they know, I have only half a right to you. I cannot
live so."
"You must," I whispered, - "till this war is over."
"What then?" said he quickly. "How will that help the matter?"
"Then they may see you for themselves. A letter would not do."
"If you please, how do you expect I am to live till then?" he
said smiling. "With half a right to you."
"Yes - with that, - and without writing to me," I answered.
"Daisy!" exclaimed Thorold, raising himself half up.
"Yes," I said - "I know - I have been wanting to talk to you
about it. You know, Christian, I could not write nor receive
your letters without my father's and mother's permission."
"Can you bear that, Daisy?" he asked.
My heart seemed to turn sick. His words suggested nothing new,
but they were his words. I failed to answer, and my face went
down in my hands.
"There, is no need of that, darling," he said, getting one of
them and putting it to his lips. "Here you are fearing dangers
again. Daisy -with truth on your side and on mine, nothing can
separate us permanently."